Rotterdam Visit

The Netherlands’ second-largest city and Europe’s busiest port is home to some of the 20th and 21st centuries’ most important architectural feats, which is the direct result of nearly the whole centre of Rotterdam being razed to the ground during World War II. On this trip we will aim to combine visits to both the new and the few remaining old parts.

We propose to stay on the ss Rotterdam, previously the Holland-America Line’s flagship, then used as a cruise ship and now a unique four-star hotel. After check-in on our first day we will have a tour of the ship and dinner on board. The guided sight-seeing programme will start the following morning. Among other things we will visit the Markthal, an iconic statement of Rotterdam design, with huge glass facades and colourful panels on the internal walls and ceiling. As well as a market with over a hundred booths, it includes luxurious apartments and offices. Also on the programme for that day are the Kubuswoningen (cube houses) and the Sint Laurenskerk, Rotterdam’s only surviving late Gothic building. The church cuts a striking profile amid the boldly modern architecture surrounding it.

The next day we plan to visit historic Delfshaven, a small inner-city harbour with many historical buildings which were spared during the bombings of World War II and where you can still feel the atmosphere of pre-war Rotterdam. Here we will have a tour (and lunch) at a small beer brewery. In the afternoon we hope to have a guided tour of the Van Nelle Factory, designed and built in the 1920s on the banks of the river Schie, for the processing of coffee, tea and tobacco. One of the icons of 20th century industrial architecture, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On our last full day we are planning a visit to Futureland and Maasvlakte 2, a major extension of the port of Rotterdam into the North Sea – the scale perhaps best appre­ciated during a short boat trip. Our final evening’s dinner will take place in the Art Nouveau building (a national monument since 2000) of KR&ZV De Maas (Royal Maas Yacht Club) with wonderful views over the river.

This is a provisional programme. The final programme will be sent out shortly to members who have put their name down for this trip., together with the costings.

At the time of writing there are only a few places still available. If you are interested in joining us, please contact the administrator as soon as possible.